Costa Rica National Parks / North Pacific / Ostional Wildlife Refuge

Ostional Wildlife Refuge

The Ostional reserve borders the biological reserve Nosara in the south and is one of the most important egg deposition spots for the olive ridley sea turtles worldwide. In the months of July and November, thousands of turtles come this 1 km (0.6 miles) long beach to deposit their eggs. Those “arribadas” take about 3-7 days and takes place several times. October and November features the highest nesting rates (much more than 200 turtles per hour). Often, those nests are plundered by raccoons, white-nosed coatis and monkeys. The “hatchlings” – recently hatched turtle babies, are a prey for frigatebirds and seagulls about 45-55 days later when they hatch. The inhabitants of the area have the traditional right, to collect the eggs within the first 24 hours after the deposition and to sell those, as the first depositions usually are destroyed by the following ones.

Playa San Juanillo offers are marvelous panorama with white sands and blue sea. A tongue of land, bathed by the ocean, offers the perfect backdrop for relaxation and a perfect swim in the ocean.